One Act Season

The Irish Theatre Players are presenting three one act plays, Kitchen, The Bear and Ashes to Dust, for a very short season. Featuring one of the most catching promotions posters this year, the three plays are very diverse, making for some interesting viewing.

All three plays share the same simple but effective lights and sound design, from Fiona Reid, and empty simple sets, to allow for quick transition.

First up is Kitchen, by Van Badham, directed by Fiona Cahill. Described as a black comedy by its author, Kitchen subverts gender stereotypes by having a bullying working wife abuse her stay-at-home husband, that is, until he turns the tables - almost literally. While actors Pamela Chang (Helene) and Brian Donoghue (Owen) are working hard, the comedy wasn’t coming through, and it became hard to watch mutual abuse, between two rather unlikeable characters. Nevertheless - good to see Brian Donoghue back on stage after a long absence - and interesting to see this contemporary Australian work. The simple set, using black kitchen appliances, certainly set the black tone for this show.

We then move on to Russian classic The Bear by Anton Chekov, directed by Michael McCall. Our set is dominated by the larger-than-life portrait of a handsome Russian soldier, and we meet his widow, Elena, in mourning and alone in her house apart from elderly servant Luka. Into their solitude bursts The Bear of the title, a tyrant of a man, demanding repayment for a loan made to the husband. Grace Edwards, in an ITP debut, is as always, elegant and beautifully spoken, in a highly emotive performance as Elena. Shivas Lindsay captures the brutish bear of a man, who is ultimately transformed, well. They are well supported by veteran actor Robert McDonough, comfortable in the role of Luka, in his first performance at ITP.

After interval is the locally written Ashes to Dust, by Yvette Wall, directed by Seán Byrne. A story of cremation, cricket and cockroaches, it is set on the day that Bob’s ashes are due to be scattered, when his daughter arrives to find her mother with another man. With some slight rewrites from its original Subiaco Arts Centre season, this is still a strong little tale. Kerry McKechnie makes her acting debut in the challenging role of Mother Lydia - a very big ask of a newcomer, and she shows much promise. Amanda Watson nicely inhabits the role of daughter Catherine, working well with and against Rowan Coffey as husband Kevin. Michael Balmer plays love interest Dhavit, whose Indian name is the result of a pilgrimage to India and subsequent enlightenment - in a solid performance.

Lots of variety and a chance to see three very different productions. You’ll need to be quick to catch a show though.

Kimberley Shaw